No. 10 Casa Roble scores at will, racing past Pioneer to clinch another GEL championship
When the Casa Roble Rams got the ball on Friday night, they scored.
Every single drive in their 53-0 Golden Empire League encounter with visiting Pioneer of Woodland was a successful trek to the end zone. In what coach Chris Horner called his team’s “best game of the season,” junior quarterback Connor Campbell threw five touchdown passes and the defense stood tall in stalling out a prolific team that came in needing a victory for a shot at the GEL crown.
Casa Roble is in the center of the Orangevale community, and home games are an event. Senior Night added to the vibe. Horner emphasized the team’s energy and closeness as a central force in its recent victories and storybook season. The Rams are 8-1 and have repeated as GEL champions with the aim of making a title run in the upcoming CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs as either the No. 1 or 2 seed.
Campbell finished with 290 yards passing and not a single incompletion. His first touchdown was a 65-yarder to junior Ethan Horner, the coach’s son. That was followed by a 7-yarder to senior Dylan Richards and a 68-yarder to senior Logan March to close the half. Campbell then tossed a 16-yarder to junior Braylen Blevins and a 1-yard score to junior Elijah Huddle.
Campbell was throwing 40- to 50-yard darts in warmups. He kept on firing during the game and then gave all the credit to his offensive line.
“It starts with everyone up front,” Campbell said. “Without those guys, we can’t run, we can’t pass. Everything that we did today would’ve been impossible without them. They definitely deserve all the credit for this one.”
That line is led by junior center Nicholas Castillo, senior left guard Joe Dexter, senior left tackle Ethan Elder, senior right guard Bryan McElroy and senior right tackle Michael Burkhart. Huddle also praised the line.
“Our line’s insane,” he said. “Ethan can blow through anybody, Dexter’s the heart of the game, Nicky is crazy, Burk at tackle can just move people, and then B Mac is just vicious. Our line is awesome.”
There wasn’t a seat to be found on a night to honor 19 Rams seniors who have grown up through the program and seek the program’s first section crown since 2008. Players came through the school’s giant blowup ram with smoke misting and families by their side. The parking lot was so full, fans were parking up a hill on the grass.
Coach Horner brings the energy. He runs up and down the field in the warm ups, getting the kids hyped and leading stretches himself. Horner even sprinted down the field to thank the referees before they left after the game.
On Saturday mornings, Horner brings the players in for a yoga workout. He said it allows the team to decompress and bond in a non-football setting. Friday’s performance was an example of what he’s trying to build.
“I loved our energy,” Horner said. “It was awesome. What’s so nice about these kids is that they genuinely love to be around each other. Those are the bonds that you need to build to get big wins like this. The attitude that they brought tonight is what got them a big win like this.”
Horner told the story of how the players were able to bond with teammate Sunia Vuki. A sophomore, Vuki is a 6-foot-5, 353-pound native of Tonga. Vuki invited the entire team over to his house, where they ate his native food and learned a Tongan war dance.
“Not only did they learn the dance, but they wanted to learn the words in the Tongan language, which is so difficult,” Horner explained.
The team performed the war dance, led by Vuki.
Horner is in his seventh year coaching the Rams varsity after a stint as the junior varsity coach. He has been part of Orangevale much of his life. He teaches mathematics as well as coaching the girls flag football team. He has won 52 games and is on track to win a fourth league title if the Rams take care of Dixon next week in a regular-season finale.
Horner said he wants to continue building this community and the school’s sports programs.
“I love Orangevale,” Horner said. “I lived away for a few years but wanted to come back. My wife (Michelle) teaches in the area. I teach here. I just want to build this team up every year. It’s something different each year and I just want to keep building it up. This community is awesome. The support from everybody is insane. It is an awesome place for tough kids like these to just play football and have a great time.”
Blevins also had an 8-yard touchdown run for the Rams. Tristan Molina had a 39-yard touchdown run late in game.
“This win sets the scene for the playoffs,” Horner said. “We’re going to keep working to beat Dixon, grab the title, and push on to the playoffs.”
This story was originally published October 21, 2023 at 12:20 AM.